Come See Me in the Good Light
| Come See Me in the Good Light | |
|---|---|
Film poster | |
| Directed by | Ryan White |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | Andrea Gibson Megan Falley |
| Cinematography | Brandon Somerhalder |
| Edited by | Berenice Chavez |
| Music by | Blake Neely |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Apple TV+ |
Release dates | |
Running time | 104 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Come See Me in the Good Light is a 2025 American documentary film directed by Ryan White. Retracing the life of American poet and activist Andrea Gibson,[2] the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2025, where it received positive reviews from critics and won the Festival Favorite Award.[3]
The documentary was critically acclaimed, being included on the National Board of Review Top 5 Documentaries of 2025, receiving several awards and nominations including the Academy Awards, Satellite Awards and Film Independent Spirit Awards. American singer-songwriters Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile wrote and performed the original song "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet".[4]
Plot
American poet and activist Andrea Gibson shares their life story, starting from their childhood, describing their early struggles with identity and trauma from family and their awareness of their sexual identity. Gibson also explained how poetry intertwines personal pain and how it helps spread their messages about the LGBTQ community and human and political inequalities. Gibson also addresses the theme of love with their wife Megan Falley, with whom they recount the drama of their battle with terminal ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2021.
Production
The documentary was conceived by American comedian Tig Notaro and producer Stef Willen, both longtime friends of Gibson and Falley, who contacted Jessica Hargrave and Ryan White.[5] It was filmed in the couple's house in Longmont, Colorado, between January 2024 to December 2024, accompanying Gibson through the process of treatment and care for the ovarian cancer diagnosed in July 2021.[6][7] Singer-songwriters Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile serve as among the executive producers; they co-wrote a song for the documentary, "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet", with Gibson.[8][9]
Release
It had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.[10] In April 2025, Apple TV+ acquired distribution rights to the film, scheduled for fall release.[11] Although Gibson lived to attend the Sundance premiere, they died from their cancer on July 14, 2025, before the film aired more widely.[12]
The film was released on November 14, 2025, on Apple TV+.[13]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 53 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Come See Me in the Good Light is an emotionally searing yet gently radiant portrait of Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley's navigation of terminal illness that never loses sight of the warmth, humor, and love that defined their relationship."[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 81 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[15]
Barry Levitt of Time described the film as "a gateway into their remarkable artistry" because "it is accessible, yet profound, and it's easy to understand how those who might not count themselves as poetry fanatics would fall in love with their poems", and that " the documentary arrives at a time of great political unrest, with the queer community under threat in America".[6] In a four out of five review, Adrian Horton of The Guardian praising the "way in which the director "constructs a delicate portrait of the poet, collaging readings of their most poignant poems".[16]
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | 2026 | Best Documentary Feature Film | Come See Me in the Good Light | Nominated | [17] |
| Austin Film Critics Association | 2025 | Best Documentary Film | Nominated | [18] | |
| Boulder International Film Festival | 2025 | Peoples Choice Award - Feature Length Film | Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, Stef Willen | Won | [19] |
| Best Feature Documentary | Won | ||||
| Cinema Eye Honors | 2026 | Outstanding Feature | Come See Me in the Good Light | Won | [20] |
| Original Music Score | Blake Neely | Won | |||
| Unforgettables Honors | Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley | Won | |||
| Direction | Ryan White | Nominated | |||
| Cinematography | Brandon Somerhalder | Nominated | |||
| Audience Choice Prize | Come See Me in the Good Light | Nominated | |||
| Cleveland International Film Festival | 2025 | Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film | Won | [21] | |
| Best Documentary | Nominated | ||||
| Honorable Mention – Documentary Competition | Ryan White | Won | |||
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | 2025 | Best Documentary | Come See Me in the Good Light | Nominated | [22] |
| Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival | 2025 | Audience Award | Won | [23] | |
| Independent Spirit Awards | 2026 | Best Documentary Feature | Nominated | [24] | |
| International Documentary Association | 2025 | Honorable Mention in Feature Documentaries | Nominated | [25] | |
| National Board of Review Awards | 2025 | Top 5 Documentaries | 3rd Place | [26] | |
| San Francisco International Film Festival | 2025 | Best Documentary Feature | Won | [27] | |
| Satellite Awards | 2026 | Best Documentary Film | Nominated | [28] | |
| Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards | 2026 | Outstanding Original Song for a Dramatic or Documentary Visual Media Production | "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet" (Sara Bareilles, Brandi Carlile and Andrea Gibson) | Nominated | [29] |
| Sundance Film Festival | 2026 | Festival Favorite Award | Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, Stef Willen | Won | [30] |
| Toronto Film Critics Association | 2026 | Allan King Documentary Award | Ryan White | Won | [31] |
| Virginia Film Festival | 2025 | Audience Award – Documentary Feature | Come See Me in the Good Light | Won | [32] |
| Chronicler Award | Jessica Hargrave | Won | |||
| Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards | 2025 | Best Documentary | Come See Me in the Good Light | Nominated | [33] |
References
- ^ "Come See Me in the Good Light (15)". British Board of Film Classification. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "In Death, Poet Andrea Gibson Gets a Film That Celebrates Life". New York Times. November 14, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Herndon, Jessica (January 26, 2025). "In "Come See Me in the Good Light" Andrea Gibson Turns Dying Into Something Beautiful". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Willman, Chris (November 14, 2025). "Sara Bareilles on Her New Duet With Brandi Carlile, 'Salt Then Sour Then Sweet,' Theme Song for 'Come See Me in the Good Light': 'This Film Is Medicinal — It's Easy to Want to Amplify It'". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Victorian, Brande (December 11, 2025). "How 'Come See Me in the Good Light' Director Ryan White Made Dying Funny". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ a b Levitt, Barry (November 14, 2025). "The Life-Affirming Story of Cancer, Poetry, and Love Behind Come See Me in the Good Light". Time. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Erbland, Kate (November 29, 2025). "Ryan White Has Loved Every Film He's Ever Made — but 'Come See Me in the Good Light' Changed His Heart". IndieWire. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (January 22, 2025). "Sara Bareilles Debuts World Premiere of Song Co-Written by Brandi Carlile at Sundance". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 17, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Fleming, Ryan (November 7, 2025). "Sara Bareilles Was Inspired By Andrea Gibson's "Care And Grace" In Face Of Cancer In 'Come See Me In The Good Light' – Sound & Screen Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2024). "Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Saperstein, Pat (April 14, 2025). "Sundance Festival Favorite Doc 'Come See Me in the Good Light' Lands at Apple TV+". Variety. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Schoenbaum, Hannah (July 14, 2025). "Poet Andrea Gibson, candid explorer of life, death and identity, dies at 49". AP News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ "Come See Me in the Good Light". Apple TV+ Press. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ^ "Come See Me in the Good Light". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ^ "Come See Me in the Good Light". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Horton, Adrian (November 13, 2025). "Come See Me in the Good Light review – frank, funny and inspiring documentary tackles cancer". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "The 98th Academy Awards | (2026)". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "2025 Austin Film Critics Association Award Nominations". Austin Film Critics Association. December 10, 2025. Archived from the original on December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Awards". Boulder International Film Festival. Archived from the original on April 4, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ^ Saperstein, Pat (January 8, 2026). "'Come See Me in the Good Light' Takes Top Prize at Cinema Eye Honors". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Cleveland International Film Festival Announces the CIFF49 Award Winners". www.clevelandfilm.org. Archived from the original on April 6, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 17, 2025). "The 2025 Dallas Fort-Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ Pat Mullen, "Come See Me in the Good Light Wins Hot Docs Audience Award". Point of View, May 5, 2025.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (December 3, 2025). "Spirit Award Nominees include 'Sorry, Baby', 'Peter Hujar's Day', 'Train Dreams', 'Twinless', and 'The Plague'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Kilkenny, Katie (December 6, 2025). "IDA Documentary Awards: 'The Tale of Silyan' Wins Best Feature". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (December 3, 2025). "National Board of Review Winners 2025: 'One Battle After Another' Dominates with Best Film, Director, Three Acting Prizes". Variety. Archived from the original on December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "'Ink Wash,' 'Seeds,' 'All That's Left Of You' And More Claim Top Prizes At 68th San Francisco International Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. April 30, 2025. Archived from the original on May 5, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "IPA set to Celebrate the 30th Annual Satellite Awards". International Press Academy. December 16, 2025. Archived from the original on December 18, 2025. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ Millman, Ethan (December 17, 2025). "Ludwig Göransson, Stephen Schwartz Lead Nominees for Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (February 2, 2025). "Ryan White's Documentary 'Come See Me in the Good Light' Wins Sundance Festival Favorite Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Mullen, Pat (December 8, 2025). "Toronto Film Critics Name Come See Me in the Good Light Top Doc". POV Magazine. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ^ "Virginia Film Fest: Lineup Announced, 'Jay Kelly' Composer Nicholas Britell to Guest on Live Episode of THR's 'Awards Chatter' Podcast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. September 23, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 6, 2025). "The 2025 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.